Security locks

ABSTRACT

A security lock adapted to be operated by magnetic induction and comprising a case, a bolting unit containing at least one group of magnets displaceably mounted in the case and at least one protective blocking member in the case arranged normally to engage with the bolting unit in detent fashion to prevent operation of the lock, the bolting unit being movable by magnets contained in a key for the lock to a position in which it is no longer engaged by the blocking member and in which operation of the lock is possible.

1 1 United States Patent 11 1 1111 33mm Hallmann Jan. 1, 1974 [54]SECURITY LOCKS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 lnvemori HermannHallmann, Ruppichlemth, 1,901,968 8/1970 Germany 70/276 Germany1,937,131 2/1971 Germany 70/276 [73] Assignee: MRT Magnet-RegeltechnikGmbH,

Hamburg, Germany Primary Examiner-Albert G. Craig, Jr.

Attorney-Beaman & Beaman [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1971 [21] App]. No.:205,654 [57] ABSTRACT A security lock adapted to be operated by magnetic[30] Foreign Application Priorit Data induction and comprising a case, abolting unit con- May 11 1971 Germany P 21 23 168.5 mining at least onegroup of magnets displaceably mounted in the case and at least oneprotective block- {52 us. c1. 70/276, 70/413 ing member in the casearranged normally to engage [5 1 1 E05, 47/00 with the bolting unit indetent fashion to prevent oper- [58] Field of Search 70/276 F1110 of thethe bolting unit being movable by magnets contained in a key for thelock to a position [56] References Cited in which it is no longerengaged by the blocking mem- UNITED STATES PATENTS her and in whichoperation of the lock is possible.

3,570,287 3/1971 Hallmann 70/276 7 Claims, 15 ng Figures MemePATENTEUJAH 1 m4 SHEET a BF 5 3m 0% MR kll mam mmm mom Mom mNm Rm NNIMI-mw m mm mNm mm aw mww w t PATENTED JAN i I974 SHEET 5 BF 5 7 an 2 tSECURITY LOCKS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to asecurity lock adapted to be operated by magnetic induction, with groupsof magnets in the lock and the key, at least one group of magnets of thelock being arranged in at least one bolting unit displaceable by themagnets of the key to make possible operation of the lock.

In such security locks it is necessary for them to be capable ofactuation by only one key formed in a quite definite manner. They shouldbe so arranged that by an appropriate formation of their individualparts it should be possible to manufacture as large a number as possibleof variations for each of which only one key will fit. In this situationit is further necessary for the security lock not to be operable throughthe application of force.

To fulfil such requirements in the lock and the key, it is a knowntechnique to utilize, in the lock and the key, magnets which are soarranged that they will only unbolt the lock when the two systems ofmagnets in the lock and the key are adjusted or attuned to each other ina quite definite way.

Such an arrangement is described, for example, in German Utility ModelUS. Pat. specification No. 6,928,905. Here one magnet in the lock caseand one pair of magnets in a tilting arrangement are envisaged. Themagnet in the lock case can be amplified to constitute a pair by meansof an inserted magnet. Only through a quite specific arrangement withrespect to each other of the magnetic fields that become effectivethrough this circumstance will the tilting arrangement be converted to afloating state in which a protective blocking member can be pushedthrough an opening.

The known arrangement is imperfect to the extent, however, that it isnot possible to bring the rocker unit to the floating state by means ofany magnet. The magnet rigidly installed in the case must offer to therocker unit a quite precise resistance which must be achieved byfield-strength techniques involving repulsion on the other side of therocker unit. This is impossible given the need for repulsion, since evenwith a much stronger strange magnet applied it is attraction of therocket unit that occurs rather than repulsion, especailly as the zone ofmagnetization on the magnets of the rocker operates compensatingly byreason of north and south fields.

At the basis of the invention is the task of so arranging a securitylock operated by magnetic induction that in each instance it can only beactuated by a single key, but with a great number of variants beingpossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one object of the invention, thistask is solved through making the bolting unit displaceable in such amanner that, with the magnet-equipped key removed, it co-operates withprotective blocking members of the case in a detent fashion, and whenthe magnet-equipped key is applied, as a consequence of polarity, thepolar diagram and the field-strength of the mutually attuned groups ofmagnets appertaining to the bolting unit and the key it is maintained ina free floating state making actuation of the lock possible.

A further object of the invention provides a case in which a securingmember is rotably mounted which carries a supporting plate urged by aspring which presses the securing member towards an opening for the key.

Another object of the invention is to provide a security lock in whichthe securing member carries in front of the supporting plate, and infact in the direction of the opening for the key, a tumbler tiltabletransversely to the axis of the securing member, the radial ends of thetumbler being insertable in protective detaining notches appertaining tothe case. In this situation, the plate of the securing member carriestwo magnets, and the tumbler a part of soft iron arranged opposite thesemagnets. The tumbler is provided with magnets on both sides of thetilting axis.

The securing member may have, in front of the tiltable tumbler, a platewhich covers over the opening for the key, two actuating studs beingarranged on the plate. These actuating studs have associated with themrecesses on the magnet-equipped key.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a security lock inwhich the magnet-equipped key carries two magnets which in their polardiagram, the type of poles and the field-strength are so arranged thatonly when this key is brought to apply will the pertinent tumbler,provided with duly adjusted magnets, be led to move from the protectivedetaining notches to the free floating state.

If the magnet-equipped key is pushed in too vigorously, with the springcompressed the tumbler will undergo deep insertion of its two ends intothe detaining notches.

The magnet-equipped key is preferably provided with an external conewhich fits into a corresponding internal taper in the case.

In one embodiment of the invention, the tumbler consists of a discbearing magnets, which disc is rotatable about an axis running in thedirection of the axis of the barring bolt. Here the discs are providedwith excised areas through which a barring bolt can only penetrate whenthe discs are so rotated by a group of magnets embedded in themagnet-equipped key that they act in complementary fashion to form acircle.

The barring bolt may be connected to a pressure plate which findsresilient support on the lock case, and to a lock-actuating bolt. Inthis way the barring bolt is capable of being lifted from the discs bypressing in the spring-loaded pressure plate through the agency of themagnet-equipped key, the discs as they are released rotating into theactuating position and forming their common opening into which, upon thesubsequent release of the pressure plate, the bar-ring bolt can beinserted. On the other hand, the barring bolt is able to be moved intothe locking position without a magnetequipped key by pressing in thepressure plate inside the case.

This simple detent system without direct recourse to a key may well beunfavourable since in fact, for example, when in motion a steering-wheelmight come to be held in detent through pressure accidentally exerted onthe pressure plate. This factor can be allowed for by a protectiveblocking member which impedes actuation of the lock by blocking theinsertional movement of the barring bolt until the magnet-equipped keyhas rotated the disc into the lock-actuating position.

The protective blocking member makes provision for a situation wherebythe pressure plate will always be capable of actuation only when theappropriate key which rotates the discs into the lock-actuating positionis also superimposed. The accidental pressing in of the pressure plateis consequently excluded.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the disc is providedwith an excised portion into which a barring bolt connected to apressure plate from the direction of the inner side of the lock isinsertable when the magnet-equipped key has rotated the disc into thelock-actuating position, and the blocking member is a swivelling latchwhich, upon the key being duly applied or upon due actuation manually,is turned outward from the path of travel of the pressure plate and,upon the key being removed, is rotated into the path of travel of thepressure plate. The swivelling latch therefore by these means providesfor the effect that the pressure plate cannot be pressed in when the keyhas not been duly applied. The pivotal movement of the swivelling latchinto the path of travel of the pressure plate is effected with the aidof magnetic forces between the swivelling latch and the disc. Thepivotal movement of the swivelling latch into the wall of the case iseffected by the magnet-equipped key.

The freely movable arm of the swivelling latch may have a magnetadjustably mounted thereon. This magnet is attracted by the magnets ofthe disc so long as the magnetic field between the disc and the magnetof the swivelling latch has been neutralized by the key.

In another embodiment of security lock according to the invention thedisc is in addition arranged to be axially displaceable, and theprotective blocking member to be stationary within the case; theblocking member in this situation engages radially in the disc, it beingfreely movable in annular grooves at the axial terminal positions of thedisc and being capable of transfer fromm one annular groove at oneterminal position to the other such groove, by way of an axial grooveconnecting the two annular grooves, only when the key has rotated thedisc into the lock-actuating position. In this form of embodiment of theinvention, the disc therefore undergoes displacement with respect to theblocking member, whereas in the form of embodiment previously describedthe blocking member undergoes displacement with respect to the axiallydisplaceable pressure plate.

In a further embodiment of the invention, in which the disc ismaintained to present an extremely flat shape, the terminal positions ofthe disc are provided on either side of the blocking member, and theblocking member travels through an excised area at the margin of thedisc when the disc has been brought to the locking position upon beingpressed in.

For reasons connected with providing security, discussion will now betransferred from the single-disc embodiment to a multi-disc embodiment.As regards the mode of operation of the locking system, however, noalterations will emerge through this step.

Cases occur in which, independently of the operation of the lock by aspecial key, the lock has also to be opened in another manner. This isnecessary, for example, in the case of a lock in a car door in which thebolted lock must be able to be unlocked from the inside with the aid ofa mechanical lever. Such an unlocking system is rendered possible,according to a further embodiment of the invention, by a technique inwhich, with the employment ofn discs arranged around a central axis, theprotective blocking member is formed as an n-toothed stellate unit whichis rotatable between the discs into such an open position that the discsare able to be pushed past it independently of the position of theirmarginal excisions.

This rotation of the toothed stellate unit into the open position mustnot only be possible manually with the assistance of a mechanical lever.If, for example, a master-key is required for a certain group of locks,then the rotation of the stellate unit into its open position can beeffected, against the urging of a spring, by means of a specialmagnet-equipped key operating on a magnet arranged on the stellate unit.

The advantages achieved by the invention more especially consist in thepoint that the lock according to the invention can in each instance beoperated by only one key, which can be produced with a very great numberof variants through the circumstance that every arrangement of the angleof the magnets to the actuating studs, every alteration of the magnetsin respect of polarity and field-strength result in a combination whichcannot be operated by any key of another combination. Thesepossibilities of variations are increased to some hundred thousands byan arrangement involving two tumblers.

A further advantage consists in the point that the lock cannot inpractice be opened by forceable mechanical intervention without theappropriate key. In the first place, any axial displacement of thesecuring member increases the locking strength of the lock because itbrings the tumbler or tumblers into more powerful engaging action withthe protective detaining notches in the case but even an attempt tocancel out the locking system of the lock by magnetic force effective inanother way is in practice always condemned to failure because too manyconditions. regarding the mechanical arrangement and the formation ofthe magnet fields would have to be fulfilled for such a goal to beattained.

On the other hand, the advantage exists that the lock, upon the use ofthe correct key, can be undone and actuated with childish simplicity.Given the employment of well-known magnetic materials with a pronouncedcoactive force, permanent magnets are produced which in practice do notalter their characteristics even during persistent use, so that afurther advantage emerges that the safety factor of the lock accordingto the invention is in practice free of the effects of wear.

A further embodiment of the lock according to the invention possessesthe advantage of a still more sturdy design. The key no longer has anyprojecting parts, with the consequence that, for example, it cannot getsnagged in the pocket in the way other keys do. Actuation of the lockwithout the key is impossible without the lock being destroyed. Bycombining the many possible angular positions of the magnets and giventhe numerous ways of magnetizing them, an extremely large number ofpossible embodiments oflocks, each matching a single key, are madeavailable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be furtherdescribed, byy way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a security lock according to theinvention in section;

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment ofa security lock according to theinvention, this time in a fractional section viewed from above;

FIG. 3 shows the magnet-equipped key belonging to lock shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows in side elevation the security lock shown in FIGS. 2 and 3in the open position;

FIG. 4a is a top plan view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 4 but shows the lock in the locked position;

FIG. 5a is a top plan view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section taken through a security lock operated by magneticinduction, with a protective blocking member according to a furtherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a fractional top view of the security lock shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment ofa security lock according to theinvention fitted with a protective blocking member;

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a security lock according to theinvention in plan view;

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9; and

FIGS. 11 to 13 show a retarding device for the rotating tumbler discs toprovide security against illicit operation.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will first be made toFIG. 1 of the drawings which shows a security lock according to theinvention having a case 1. A securing member 2 is rotatively mounted,the member comprising a shaft 3 and a rotative plate 4. A coil spring 5bears at one end against the plate 4 and atthe end against the end wallof a recess in the case 1, in which the plate 4 is located. Magnets 6and 7 are inserted into the plate 4. A tumbler 9 is pivotally mounted onthe securing member 2 and is movable within a further recess in thecase 1. To the lower side of the tumbler 9 is attached a steel plate 10,positioned opposite the magnets 6 and 7. The steel tongue 10 along withthe magnets 6 and 7 constitutes a bistable tilting system which is inboth instances at rest when the steel tongue 10 is in contact with oneof the two magnets 6 or 7, the tumbler 9 then having undergone tiltinginto the corresponding position. In each of the two positions oftilting, the tumbler 9 engages in one of two protective detainingnotches 11 and 12 provided in the case 1. By this means they secure thesecuring member 2 against rotation.

Two magnets 13 and 14 are provided on the upper side of the tumbler 9.The end of the securing member 2 on which the tumbler 9 is providedbears against an actuating plate 15 in which two actuating studs 16 and17 are located.

A magnet-equipped key 18 has two recesses 19 and 20 which are able to beplaced over the catching studs 16 and 17. The key 18 carries on itslower side two magnets 23 and 24. The polarity of the magnets 23 and 24is arranged to correspond with the polarity of the magnets 13 and 14 asshown in FIG. 1 so that if the magnet-equipped key 18 is placed upon theplate 15, the tumbler 9 will be converted by the relevant magnet 6 or 7from its tilted position into a horizontal floating state, theattraction of the steel tongue 10 being then relieved, with theconsequence that the securing member 2 will be freed. Now, by means ofthe magnetequipped key 18, through the agency of the actuating studs 16oand 17, the securing member 2 can undergo rotation, it then actuating atang 25 fo the lock which is connected with it.

The axial engagement of the magnet-equipped key 18 in the case 1 may belimited by a cone 26, for instance, which is in contact with acorresponding internal taper 27 of the case 1, so that no axial forcesare exerted during actuation. If an attempt should be made to open thelock by force through the agency of the actuating studs 16 and 17without the appropriate key, then this is countered by the tumbler 9detained in a protective detaining notch 11 or 12. If, in thissituation, an attempt should be made to loosen the securing effect byexerting axial pressure, then the coil spring 5 will be compressed andthe tumbler 9 will engage in both protective notches l1 and 12, so thatthe securing effect is doubled.

The magnets 13, 14, 23 and 24 are coded by multipole and lateralmagnetization. By the displacement of the polar diagram and of theangular settings the consequence is a great number of variants. Even thesmallest alteration in a magnetic field on one side has the effect thatthe tumbler 9 will drop into one of the protective detaining notches 11or 12 and will secure the lock. The number of variants rises into somehundreds of thousands if two tumblers are employed, possibly through atechnique whereby the second one is tiltably borne at a right angle tothe first. The copying of a magnet-equipped key with four polar diagramsis extremely difficult, since the polar diagram and the type of thepoles have to be determined, along with absolutely identicalfield-strengths.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawingswhich show another embodiment of the invention in which the axis ofrotation of the tilting arrangement is in a vertical direction. In thelock case 101 there are a plurality of tumbler discs, in the presentinstance two tumbler discs 102 and 103 rotatively borne between stops.The discs 102, 103 carry magnets 104, 105 respectively. The tumblerdiscs 102 and 103, tumblers 106 and 107 are situated to formsemi-circular excised areas removed from the margin of the disc-shapedbodies. Only in one set position during rotation of the tumbler discs102 and 103 with respect to each other do the tumblers 106 and 107 actcomplementarily to constitute a circle through which a barring bolt 108is able to penetrate. If the tumbler discs 102 and 103 do not occupythis position but lie in the position indicated by chain-dotted lineswhich is achieved by the fact that the tumbler discs tilt towards eachother through mutual attraction of the magnets, then the barring bolt108 makes contact with the discs 102, 103 and consequently finds supportsimilarly against the case 101, just as in the previously describedarrangement the tumbler 9 engaged in the protective detaining notches 11and 12 in the case 1.

Inside a magnet-equipped key 109, pairs of reciprocal magnets 110 and111 are firmly attached. If this magnet-equipped key 109, after rotationcounterclockwise about its axis, is laid upon the lock illustrated inFIG. 2, then the north poles of the magnets 110 will exert repulsionforces on the north pole of the magnet 104, which forces, if the magnetsof the magnets 110 are equally strongly magnetized, will be differentfromm each other to the extent that the north pole of the magnet 104 isnot positioned precisely between them. These forces of repulsiontherefore have the effect that the tumbler disc 102 keeps rotating untilthis condition is fulfilled.

Correspondingly, upon the application of the key, the tumbler disc 103will rotate until the south pole of its magnet 105 is positionedprecisely between the south poles of the key magnets 111. Then, thetumblers 106 and 107 will release the barring bolt 108, and the lockwill open.

FIGS. 4 and show an overall arrangement of this embodiment of thesecurity lock according to the invention. In a cup-shaped outer case 112there are a resilient pressure plate 113 and a lock-actuating bolt 114,both connected to the barring bolt 108 (not shown). The pressure plate113 is pressed into the case and thus is locked because of the contactmade by the barring bolt 108 on the tumblers 106 and 107. Through thiscircumstance the lock-actuating bolt 114 will protrude downwards asshown in FIG. 5. If the magnet-equipped key 115 is applied to thepressure plate 113, it then being fixed in place by a projection 116(FIG. 4) in a recess 117 on the margin of the outer case 112, then thetumbler discs 106 and 107 will rotate into the releasing position. Ifthe key 115 is pressed downwards, then the barring bolt 108 will bereleased. The pressure plate 113 springs upward and the lock-actuatingbolt 114 is drawn back against the case and releases the lock mechanism.

The magnet-equipped key 115 may be removed and, for example, put into apocket. Through this circumstance the tumbler discs 102 and 103 willattempt by a rotating movement to tilt back into their position ofrepose. This they are still prevented from doing, however, by thebarring bolt 108. If the lock is to be locked again, however, then thepressure plate 113 need only be pressed downward for example by afinger. The barring bolt 108 will release the tumblers 106 and 107. Thetumbler discs 102 and 103 will tilt back into their position of repose,and the lock-actuating bolt 114 will close the lock mechanism. It is nowno longer possible to open the lock without the magnet-equipped key 115.

In a case 201, shown in FIG. 6, ofa security lock operated by magneticinduction there is a barring bolt 203 arranged to be axiallydisplaceable. On the barring bolt 203 there is affixed amovement-limiting disc 205 between which and the lower edge of a recess207 in the case 201 there is provided a coil spring 209. The coil springurges the barring bolt 203 in the direction of an opening 211 providedin the case 201. A pressure plate 215 is attached to the barring bolt203 by means of lateral supports 213. The pressure plate 215 closes offthe opening 211 of the lock.

In an enlargement 217 of the case two magnetequipped discs 219 arerotatively mounted. The said magnet-equipped discs may be turned aboutaxes 221. The magnets arranged in the magnet-equipped discs 219co-operate with their fields in such a way that the discs 219 tend toundergo displacement from the position shown in FIG. 7. If no barringbolt 203 were to be inserted in a common opening 223 formed by the discs219, then the excised areas 225 in the discs 219 would not functioncomplementarily. In the position of release shown, however, the excisedareas 215 operate complementarily to the opening 223 through which thebarring bolt 203 is inserted.

In the upper portion of the side wall of the case 201 there is a recess227 in which a swivelling latch 229 is pivotally mounted. The axis ofrotation of the swivelling latch runs in a direction parallel to theaxis of the barring bolt 203. The latch 229 is equipped at its freelymoving end 231 with a magnet 233. The said magnet 233 co-operates withthe magnetic fields of the discs 219 in such a manner that theswivelling latch is turned to be under the plate 215, in the path oftravel of the latter. The swivelling latch only pivots into the recess227 when a magnet-equipped key is applied to the case 201 when themagnetic fields of the key operate on the magnet 233 and pivot theswivelling latch 229 into the recess 227.

In this way the pressure plate 215 is prevented from being able to bepressed inward without the key having been applied, a situation whichmight be connected with the operation of the lock, and consequentlypossibly too the operation of a steering-wheel lock.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a special form of steering-wheel lockis dealt with. The design is naturally not tied merely to application ina motor vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lock comprises a case 301 housing a cylinder 303to effect locking. In the cylinder 303 an enlargement 305 is provided inwhich tumbler discs 307 are pivotally mounted. The axes of rotation ofthe tumbler discs 307 run parallel to the axis 309 of a barring bolt311.

On the side towards the lock, a tang 313 is arranged on the barring bolt311 which is capable of insertion into a recess 315 in a connectingplate 317. Stops 319 indicate the position of the connecting platewithin the case 301.

Inside the cylinder 303 to effect locking are arranged spring-equippedbarring bolts 321 which are capable of being pressed home in thedirection of an arrow 323 against the action of springs 325. The bolts321 can engage in protective bores 327 and are provided with pins 329which are arranged to engage in bores 331 in the tumbler discs 307 whena key 333 is applied to the lock. Magnets inside this key rotate thetumbler discs 307 into such a position that the rotor bores 331 arelocated in front of the pins 329. In this reciprocal position of thetumbler discs the latter can be pressed in by means of the key 333, thebarring bolt 311 then being pushed into a locking position. If no key333 is applied, then insertion of the barring bolt 311 is not possiblesince a protective blocking member 337 operates against this insertion.This blocking member 337 is arranged on the cylinder 303 and engages inthe tumbler disc 307 indicated above. In the position of release shownin the drawing, the blocking member is located in an annular groove 339,so that the disc 307 is freely movable. The annular groove 339 providedin one terminal position of the disc is connected by means of an axialgroove 341 to a further annular groove 343 which is located at the siteof the other terminal position of the axially displaceable disc. Theconnecting groove is arranged in such a manner that the blocking memberis freely displaceable within it if the discs, when the key is applied,have been rotated to their lock-actuating position.

If the discs have been rotated by means of the key into thelock-actuating position, then the barring bolt can be transferred to thedetent position by an axial displacement of the discs. If, however, nokey has been applied to the discs 307, then they will have rotated intoa reciprocal position prescribed by the magnets 335. In this case theblocking member 337 will not be in the zone of the connecting groove341. The disc cooperating with the blocking member therefore cannot bepressed in. Consequently a specific locking system proof againstaccidental pressure or catching has been brought about.

It is naturally also possible in a further form of embodiment (not shownhere) to prescribe for the discs a so modest axial length that they willbe pushed between the two terminal positions of displacement, in eachinstance right past the blocking member. In this case the disc has amarginal excision through which the blocking member can travel if thedisc, with the key duly applied, has turned into the lock-actuatingposition.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, three tumbler discs 407 arearranged centrically about an axis 409. All three discs 407 are carriedby a barring bolt 411 by way ofa supporting disc 413 and axles 414.Reinforcement is provided for the supporting system, comprising theplate 413 and the axles 414, by means of a pressure plate 415 whichcloses off the lock 417 from above.

The barring bolt 411 can be pressed into the case 419 in the directionof the axis 409, upon the pressure plate 415 being pressed downward. Theprerequisite for this is, however, that a stellate unit 421 shouldpermit the travel of the discs 407 past itself. This stellate unit 421is pivotally arranged on the case 419 by means of a support 423. Theaxis of rotation of the stellate unit coincides with the axis 409 of thebarring bolt 411. Furthermore, the stellate unit 421 engages anactuating lever 425 by which the stellate unit is manually rotatablethrough a pivotal angle of 60. The stellate unit and the lever arm 425are fixed firmly to each other for this purpose. The stellate unit 421is, given a lack of external force operating on the lever arm 425, swungover into the position shown in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 9, this beingindicated by the letter R. If the stellate arm 421 is turned with theaid of the lever arm 425, then it will attain the position shown insolid lines denoted by 0.

As emerges particularly clearly from FIG. 9, the teeth 427 of thestellate unit 421 are in position 1R pivoted into the effective zone ofthe discs 407. Let us assume that no key has been applied to the lock.The excised areas 429 in the discs 407 will then be positioned invarious contrarily placed situations following rotation, and the teeth427 will be covered by the material of the discs 407. In this position,therefore, the pressure plate 415 cannot be pressed inwards, since thediscs will not come past the teeth 427. If, however, a key is applied tothe lock 417, then the tumbler discs 407 will rotate in the direction ofthe arrow 431 into the position indicated in solid lines in FIG. 9. Theexcised areas 429 will therefore be located in the area of the teeth427, and the pressure plate 415 can now be pressed in thus makingpossible the bolting of the lock. After the key has been removed, thediscs 407 forthwith pivot again, and the discs are unable to return totheir initial positions because of a spring operating on the stellateunit. This return will only become possible again if a key is appliedand if, with light downward pressure on the pressure plate 415, thediscs are released and pivot into the position shown in solid lines inFIG. 9.

In the case of a car lock, it is necessary for this lock also to beopened manually from inside, even without a key. To facilitate suchopening, the lever arm 425, for example, is swung over when the pressureplate is pressed in. Upon this occurring, the stellate unit 421 willrotate from position R (in chain-dotted lines) to the position 0 (insolid lines). The teeth 427 of the stellate unit 421 will then besituated between the discs 407. Independently of the position of theexcised areas, the discs 407 will therefore be released and are able totravel in FIG. 10 upwards past the stellate unit, the barring bolt 411then travelling from the locked position to the open position, and thelock is now open.

There are cases in which manual opening, such as is necessary on theinside of car doors, does not have to be considered. A distinctlysimilar case which requires opening independently of the special lockmay well exist if, for example, apart from the special key for thespecial lock, many locks are to be opened with the aid of a singlemasterkey. In this case permanent magnets 433 will, for example, bearranged on the stellate unti 421, the magnets co-operating with amaster-key. When the master-key is placed on the pressure plate 409,then the stellate unit will rotate to the position 0 and the lock willbe released.

It is always possible that the attempt will be made with a strangemagnet (an electromagnet or a permanent magnet) to bring the rotatingtumbler discs into the position for opening. These attempts may well becondemned completely to failure if, as shown in FIGS. 1 1 to 13, aretarder is provided for the rotating tumbler discs 501. The saidretarder consists of a soft-iron part 503 possessing excised areas 505for discs 501 and capable of undergoing displacement axially withrespect to the discs. The soft-iron core 503 finds support by means of aspring 507 located between a pressure plate 509. When no strange magnethas been placed on the pressure plate 509, then the spring 507 will urgethe soft-iron part away from the pressure plate, and the flanges 511 ofthe soft-iron part 503 that are interposed beneath the discs 501 will belifted away from the discs 501 (FIG. 11). If, however, a strange magnetis applied, then the soft-iron part 503 will rise, and the flanges 511interposed beneath will press from below against the discs 501 (FIG.12). By these means the latter will be rendered immobile and are nolonger able to rotate. Opening of the lock by means of the strangemagnet is consequently impossible.

What is claimed is 1. A magnetic security lock comprising, incombination; a housing having an axis and an accessible end, blockingmeans rotatably mounted within said housing for limited rotation aboutan axis substantially parallel to said housing axis and selectivelyorientable between locking and unlocking positions, control meansmounted within said housing for selective relative cooperable movementwith respect to said blocking means in the direction of said housingaxis, said blocking means cooperating with said control means whereinorientation of said blocking means to said locking position relates saidblocking and control means to prevent unlocking of said lock andorientation of said blocking means to said unlocking position relatessaid blocking and control means to permit unlocking of said lock, saidblocking means having a first permanent magnet diametrically mountedthereon disposed adjacent said housing end having poles rotatable in aplane substantially perpendicular to said housing axis, a key adapted tobe placed adjacent said housing end for orientation in a predeterminedmanner with respect to said housing axis, a pair of spaced,substantially parallel second permanent magnets mounted upon said keyhaving poles substantially perpendicularly oriented to said housing axiswhen said key is placed adjacent said housing end, the spacing betweensaid second magnets being greater than the width of said first magnetand said second magnets being so located on said key as to be disposedon opposite sides of said first magnet when said key is oriented to saidhousing end in said predetermined manner, like poles of said first andsecond magnets being oriented such that said second magnets imposerepulsion magnetic forces on said first magnet to rotatably orient saidblocking means to its unlocking position and permitting relativemovement thereof with respect to said control means to permit unlockingof said lock.

2. In a magnetic security lock as in claim 1 wherein said blocking meanscomprises at least a pair of rotatable members mounted within saidhousing each having a first permanent magnet mounted thereon, said firstmagnets being rotatable in a common plane substantially perpendicular tosaid housing axis, and at least two pairs of second magnets mounted insaid key within a common plane, each pair of second key magnets adaptedto impose a repulsion magnetic force upon a first magnet and member.

3. In a magnetic security lock as in claim 2, key positioning meansdefined on said housing accessible end, and complementary keypositioning cooperating means defined on said key controllingorientation of said key adjacent said housing end.

4. In a magnetic security lock as in claim 2 wherein said blocking meansmembers include coplanar discs disposed substantially perpendicular tosaid housing axis each having a periphery, a notch defined in each ofsaid disc peripheries complementary to a portion of the alignedtransverse cross section of said control means, said notches defining anopening receiving said control means upon positioning of said blockingmeans discs to said unlocking position permitting relative axialmovement of said control means and said blocking means members.

5. A magnetic security lock comprising, in combination, a housing havingan axis and an accessible end, control means movably mounted within saidhousing for movement in the direction of said housing axis betweenoperative and inoperative positions, blocking means movably mountedwithin said housing selectively orientable between locking and unlockingpositions, said blocking means cooperating with said control meanswherein orientation of said blocking means to said locking positionprevents movement of said control means from said inoperative positionto said operative position and orientation of said blocking means tosaid unlocking position permits movement of said control means from saidinoperative position to said operative position, said blocking meanscomprising at least one member rotatable about an axis parallel to saidhousing axis and having a first permanent magnet mounted thereondisposed adjacent said housing end having poles rotatable in a planesubstantially perpendicular to said housing axis, a key adapted to beplaced adjacent said housing end for orientation in a predeterminedmanner with respect to said housing axis, a second permanent magnetmounted within said key having poles substantially perpendicularlyoriented to said housing axis, the poles of said first and secondmagnets being oriented such that said second magnet imposes repulsionmagnetic forces on said first magnet to rotatably orient said blockingmeans member to its unlocking position and permitting axial movement ofsaid control means to its operative position, a ferromagneticanti-tampering member surrounding said blocking means and axiallydisplaceable within said housing between holding and release positionsselectively preventing and permitting rotation of the associatedblocking means, spring means biasing said anti-tampering member to saidrelease position, said anti-tampering means being drawn into holdingposition if subjected to predetermined magnetic forces.

6. A magnetic security lock comprising, in combination, a housing havingan open end, a control shaft rotatably mounted within said housing aboutan axis and capable of axial displacement between first and secondpositions, an arm mounted on said shaft for pivotal movement on a pivotaxis perpendicular to said shaft axis between shaft locking and shaftreleasing positions, abutment means defined on said housing receivingsaid arm when in said shaft locking position, biasing means biasing saidarm toward said shaft locking position, a pair of permanent magnetsmounted on said arm, a magnet being mounted on each side of said pivotaxis equidistant therefrom, torque transmitting means defined on saidshaft adjacent said housing end, a key adapted to be received withinsaid housing open end, a pair of permanent magnets mounted on said key,torque transmitting means defined on said key mating with said shafttorque transmitting means for transferring torque from said key to saidshaft upon said key being placed in said housing end in a predeterminedmanner, said key mounted magnets being disposed adjacent said armmounted magnets with like poles disposed toward each other to producerepulsion forces to overcome said arm biasing means and pivot said armto said shaft releasing position.

7. In a magnetic security lock as in claim 6 wherein said biasing meanscomprises at least one magnet mounted on said shaft.

1. A magnetic security lock comprising, in combination, a housing havingan axis and an accessible end, blocking means rotatably mounted withinsaid housing for limited rotation about an axis substantially parallelto said housing axis and selectively orientable between locking andunlocking positions, control means mounted within said housing forselective relative cooperable movement with respect to said blockingmeans in the direction of said housing axis, said blocking meanscooperating with said control means wherein orientation of said blockingmeans to said locking position relates said blocking and control meansto prevent unlocking of said lock and orientation of said blocking meansto said unlocking position relates said blocking and control means topermit unlocking of said lock, said blocking means having a firstpermanent magnet diametrically mounted thereon disposed adjacent saidhousing end having poles rotatable in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to said housing axis, a key adapted to be placed adjacentsaid housing end for orientation in a predetermined manner with respectto said housing axis, a pair of spaced, substantially parallel secondpermanent magnets mounted upon said key having poles substantiallyperpendicularly oriented to said housing axis when said key is placedadjacent said housing end, the spacing between said second magnets beinggreater than the width of said first magnet and said second magnetsbeing so located on said key as to be disposed on opposite sides of saidfirst magnet when said key is oriented to said housing end in saidpredetermined manner, like poles of said first and second magnets beingoriented such that said second magnets impose repulsion magnetic forceson said first magnet to rotatably orient said blocking means to itsunlocking position and permitting relative movement thereof with respectto said control means to permit unlocking of said lock.
 2. In a magneticsecurity lock as in claim 1 wherein sAid blocking means comprises atleast a pair of rotatable members mounted within said housing eachhaving a first permanent magnet mounted thereon, said first magnetsbeing rotatable in a common plane substantially perpendicular to saidhousing axis, and at least two pairs of second magnets mounted in saidkey within a common plane, each pair of second key magnets adapted toimpose a repulsion magnetic force upon a first magnet and member.
 3. Ina magnetic security lock as in claim 2, key positioning means defined onsaid housing accessible end, and complementary key positioningcooperating means defined on said key controlling orientation of saidkey adjacent said housing end.
 4. In a magnetic security lock as inclaim 2 wherein said blocking means members include coplanar discsdisposed substantially perpendicular to said housing axis each having aperiphery, a notch defined in each of said disc peripheriescomplementary to a portion of the aligned transverse cross section ofsaid control means, said notches defining an opening receiving saidcontrol means upon positioning of said blocking means discs to saidunlocking position permitting relative axial movement of said controlmeans and said blocking means members.
 5. A magnetic security lockcomprising, in combination, a housing having an axis and an accessibleend, control means movably mounted within said housing for movement inthe direction of said housing axis between operative and inoperativepositions, blocking means movably mounted within said housingselectively orientable between locking and unlocking positions, saidblocking means cooperating with said control means wherein orientationof said blocking means to said locking position prevents movement ofsaid control means from said inoperative position to said operativeposition and orientation of said blocking means to said unlockingposition permits movement of said control means from said inoperativeposition to said operative position, said blocking means comprising atleast one member rotatable about an axis parallel to said housing axisand having a first permanent magnet mounted thereon disposed adjacentsaid housing end having poles rotatable in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to said housing axis, a key adapted to be placed adjacentsaid housing end for orientation in a predetermined manner with respectto said housing axis, a second permanent magnet mounted within said keyhaving poles substantially perpendicularly oriented to said housingaxis, the poles of said first and second magnets being oriented suchthat said second magnet imposes repulsion magnetic forces on said firstmagnet to rotatably orient said blocking means member to its unlockingposition and permitting axial movement of said control means to itsoperative position, a ferromagnetic anti-tampering member surroundingsaid blocking means and axially displaceable within said housing betweenholding and release positions selectively preventing and permittingrotation of the associated blocking means, spring means biasing saidanti-tampering member to said release position, said anti-tamperingmeans being drawn into holding position if subjected to predeterminedmagnetic forces.
 6. A magnetic security lock comprising, in combination,a housing having an open end, a control shaft rotatably mounted withinsaid housing about an axis and capable of axial displacement betweenfirst and second positions, an arm mounted on said shaft for pivotalmovement on a pivot axis perpendicular to said shaft axis between shaftlocking and shaft releasing positions, abutment means defined on saidhousing receiving said arm when in said shaft locking position, biasingmeans biasing said arm toward said shaft locking position, a pair ofpermanent magnets mounted on said arm, a magnet being mounted on eachside of said pivot axis equidistant therefrom, torque transmitting meansdefined on said shaft adjacent said housing end, a key adapted to bereceived within said housing oPen end, a pair of permanent magnetsmounted on said key, torque transmitting means defined on said keymating with said shaft torque transmitting means for transferring torquefrom said key to said shaft upon said key being placed in said housingend in a predetermined manner, said key mounted magnets being disposedadjacent said arm mounted magnets with like poles disposed toward eachother to produce repulsion forces to overcome said arm biasing means andpivot said arm to said shaft releasing position.
 7. In a magneticsecurity lock as in claim 6 wherein said biasing means comprises atleast one magnet mounted on said shaft.